San Diego, CA—Sony’s pocketsize NEX-F3 interchangeable-lens camera features the same space-saving mirrorless design as other models in Sony’s E-mount family and an 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, which is identical in size to sensors found in traditional DSLRs. The large sensor takes in more light during image capture, for low-noise photographs and detailed Full HD videos (60i/24p). Photographers can also create images with defocus effects.

“Sony continues to redefine digital photography with our E-mount series, packing a large APS-C size sensor into a small, lightweight camera body to produce professional-quality images with ease,” said Mike Kahn, director, Alpha business, Sony. “Featuring a diverse set of imaging technologies and offered at a great price, the new NEX-F3 model reinforces our commitment to this rapidly growing compact system camera market.”

The camera adds a 180° tiltable LCD screen, a first for Sony’s E-mount cameras. By holding the camera at arm’s length and flipping the LCD vertically, users can adjust the on-screen preview image to properly frame photos. Also included is a built-in flash to broaden shooting options indoors or in low light.

Also new is an auto portrait framing function that identifies a subject’s position in a composed image and follows the rule of thirds to trim the scene around the subject’s face. The cropped portrait is then boosted to full resolution using Sony’s By Pixel Super Resolution technology, which uses pattern matching to maintain detail, tones and textures. Both the original and cropped image files are saved. The same technology is used for the “clear image zoom” feature, which digitally doubles the magnification of any lens attached to the camera.

Other features include: superior auto mode, which intelligently recognizes a range of scenes and subjects and adjusts settings automatically; increased battery stamina to 470 shots per charge, plus the ability to charge via USB or an AC outlet; an improved grip; and compatibility with the optional FDA-EV1S viewfinder that offers a high-contrast, high-res OLED viewfinder display and wide viewing angle.

Sony also launched the SEL18200LE E18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS LE telezoom lens as a traveling companion for the NEX-F3. It offers optical SteadyShot compensate for the effects of shake, an 11x zoom range, direct manual focus to fine-tune focus settings, and is 12% lighter than the SEL18200 lens.